Maryland man only the sixth to win Master Angler Award

Baltimore — Rashan Hunt, of Sparrows Point, Baltimore County, has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ FishMaryland program.

The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch 10 different species of fish in Maryland at trophy-size length.

Hunt is the sixth Master Angler since the program began, and achieved the award with a 10th confirmed catch, a 24-inch chain pickerel caught Feb. 26 at Loch Raven Reservoir.

“The chain pickerel for some reason has been one of the hardest fish for me,” said Hunt.

“I spent countless miles and hours on kayak and fished from the shore at multiple locations throughout Maryland waterways. I caught lots of fish that didn’t make the cut, but on five casts (at Loch Raven on Feb. 26) I caught my 10 official fish for the award.”

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The FishMaryland Program covers dozens of species from both salt and freshwater. All 10 catches that earned Hunt the Master Angler award are listed here and on individual certificates sent to the angler before DNR presents the Master Angler award certificate and the gift card prize from Bass Pro Shops in Arundel Mills.

Hunt is the third Master Angler to be confirmed by DNR within the past year.

Hunt’s qualifying catches were: Northern snakehead, 34.5 inches; blue catfish, 50.5 inches; largemouth bass, 21.5 inches; common carp, 32.5 inches; channel catfish, 30.5 inches; striped bass, 45 inches; yellow perch, 14 inches; hickory shad, 18 inches; crappie, 15 inches; chain pickerel, 24 inches.

Hunt is originally from East Orange, N.J., and moved to Maryland in 2011. He retired from 23 years of military service in 2021 and currently works for the Department of the Army.

He is a member of the Legion of Anglers, a group that holds catch-and-release tournaments and organizes trash cleanups.

“I have fished all over the world catching various species,” Hunt said. “Fishing is my therapy and is good for mental health and well-being.”